Solomon Islands police spokesman Godfrey Abia told Radio Australia it is unclear at this stage how many people have been affected.

"Some of the villages close to the coastal area have been totally wiped out by the waves and it kind of travelled further inland, some 500 metres," he said.

"Those communities and those places are very remote. We cannot really confirm how many people live in any of those villages."

Mr Abia says temporary accommodation is being provided for some of those who need it.

"Our officers down there have already set up some temporary shelter and campsites further up into the jungle and on higher ground. They are organising and distributing food and water for the people at the moment."

Free trade is the oldest argument in federal politics and the issue that literally defined the federation era but opposition exists to the TPP, courtesy of the Investor-State Dispute Resolutions clause.